Firing mechanism

ABSTRACT

A portable explosives disrupter for de-arming improvised explosive devices includes a barrel for housing a projectile, a mechanism for firing the projectile from the barrel, a breech which may be adapted to house a variety of firing mechanisms, a semi-rigid, flexible support system for orienting the device in relation to a target and minimizing the effects of recoil on the accuracy of the device, and a means for accurately aiming the explosives disrupter at a target. Three different firing mechanisms are provided, the first employing a firing pin and shock tubing, the second employing a metal sphere and shock tubing, and the third employing a firing piston and a source of compressed air.

[0001] This invention was made with government support under ContractNo. N39998-98-D-3563 awarded by The Office of Special Technology(Department of Navy). The Government has certain rights in thisinvention.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to projectile-firing devices used fordisabling or de-arming explosive devices, their method of making, andmethod of use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Military and law enforcement personnel who work in bomb disposalunits are frequently required to contend with improvised explosivedevices or IEDs. IEDs include pipe bombs, letter bombs, hand grenades,land mines, bombs in small packages, and trip-wire devices. Thedangerous task of de-arming such devices is often exacerbated by theemplacement of IEDs in challenging positions or orientations. Forexample, an IED may be partially buried, hidden in a recess such as amailbox, or taped to the bottom of a table, desk, or chair. IEDs areterrorist devices, and as such, are frequently found in highly populatedareas where de-arming the device greatly increases the risk ofcollateral damage to both people and property.

[0004] A variety of devices may be used for disrupting or de-armingimprovised explosive devices. McDonald, U.S. Pat. No. 4,046,055discloses a dearmer that neutralizes an IED by first piercing theexterior of the device with an explosively-driven captive projectile andthen injecting liquid nitrogen into the device. Lake, U.S. Pat. No.4,062,112 discloses a wire cutter which inactivates bombs by utilizingan explosively actuated piston situated within a barrel to sever bombwires. Hanson, U.S. Pat. No. 4,169,403 uses a liquid missile fired at ahigh velocity to breach the housing of bomb and wet the contents toprevent or disrupt detonation of the bomb. Proctor, U.S. Pat. No.4,779,511 discloses a prefabricated, single-use, disposable dearmer thatutilizes a propellant charge mounted in a tube adjacent to a slug whichis fired at the fuse mechanism of a bomb. Cherry, U.S. Pat. No.4,957,027 discloses a multibarrel dearmer that requires shock tubing tofire a small arms cartridge into an explosive device. Heller, U.S. Pat.No. 5,210,368 discloses a tripod-mounted, electrically activated dearmerthat fires a shotgun shell at an explosive device, and Gilbert, U.S.Pat. No. 5,515,767 discloses a recoil-absorbing dearmer which fires aprojectile from a barrel by means of an explosive charge placed behindthe projectile.

[0005] Despite the availability of the de-arming devices describedabove, these devices are all subject to significant limitations. Forexample, most of these devices are too large or cumbersome to be usefulin situations where open access to the target is unavailable orextremely limited. Furthermore, accurately aiming and orienting one ofthese dearmers in relation to a target may be difficult if notimpossible, due to a lack of flexibility of the device, or the lack of ameans by which to accurately aim the dearmer if the barrel cannot beplaced directly against the target. Additionally, most projectile-firingdearmers require explosive shock tubing as part of the firing train. Theuse of shock tubing may not be economical because a significant lengthof tubing is often required, and once the dearmer is fired the tubingmust be replaced before the dearmer can be fired again.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0006] According, these and other disadvantages of the prior art areovercome by the present invention which provides a remotely-activatedexplosives disrupter comprising a projectile housed within a cylindricalbarrel which is securely mounted on a semi-rigid, segmented, flexiblesupport system. The support system of this invention providesflexibility in orienting the explosives disrupter relative to a targetand minimizes the effects of recoil on accuracy when the device isfired. The firing train of this invention utilizes either shock tubingand a firing pin, shock tubing and a metal sphere, or compressed air anda firing piston to fire the projectile from the barrel. Providingstandoff distance, as well as aiming the present invention, isaccomplished either by inserting standoff spokes into the muzzle end ofthe barrel, or adding extension tubing to either end of the barrel. Theindividual component parts of this invention are disassembled andpackaged as a kit which is portable and easily carried into the fieldwhere the explosives disrupter may rapidly be assembled and deployed.

[0007] Therefore, the principal object of the present invention is toprovide a portable, adjustable explosives disrupter that will allow bombdisposal technicians to prevent the detonation of an IED by accuratelycutting, severing, jamming, gagging, or disrupting the firing train ofconcealed or otherwise screened threat items.

[0008] Another object of this invention is to provide an explosivesdisrupter which uses a disposable metal sphere in place of a firing pinin the firing mechanism, thereby eliminating the need to clean thefiring pin each time the dearmer is fired.

[0009] Still another object of this invention is to provide anexplosives disrupter which uses a non-explosive compressed-air firingmechanism in place of an explosive shock tubing, thereby making thedevice less expensive to use while increasing overall safety.

[0010] Further objects, advantages, and novel aspects of this inventionwill become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and subsequentdetailed description.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0011]10 Explosives Disrupter

[0012]12 Barrel

[0013]14 Breech

[0014]16 Firing Mechanism

[0015]18 Union

[0016]20 Compression Fitting (Ferrule Nut)

[0017]22 Propellant Conduit

[0018]24 Charge Source

[0019]26 Projectile

[0020]28 Orienting Apparatus

[0021]30 Clamp

[0022]31 Nut

[0023]32 Clamp Knob

[0024]33 Adapter

[0025]34 Flexible Support

[0026]40 Firing Pin

[0027]42 Plug

[0028]44 Spring

[0029]46 Cylindrical Bore

[0030]50 Metal Sphere

[0031]52 O-Ring

[0032]54 Retainer

[0033]60 Firing Piston

[0034]61 Retaining Ring

[0035]62 Ball bearing

[0036]63 Slider

[0037]64 Resistance Coil

[0038]66 Spring Chamber

[0039]70 Extension Tubing

[0040]72 Standoff Spoke

[0041]80 Target

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042]FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the assembled device accordingto the teachings of the present invention. In this illustration, thestandoff spokes are inserted into the barrel and the explosivesdisrupter has been oriented toward, and aimed at, a target.

[0043]FIG. 2. is a cross-sectional view of the barrel and breech portionof the explosives disrupter shown in FIG. 1 depicting an embodimentutilizing a shock tubing and firing pin firing train.

[0044]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the barrel and breech portionof the explosives disrupter shown in FIG. 1 depicting an embodimentutilizing a shock tubing and metal sphere firing train.

[0045]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the barrel and breech portionof the explosives disrupter shown in FIG. 1 depicting an embodimentutilizing a compressed air and firing piston firing train.

[0046]FIG. 5a depicts a side view of the device shown in FIG. 1 with twosections of extension tubing attached to the muzzle end of the barrelportion. FIG. 5a also depicts the placement of the clamp and clamp knob.

[0047]FIG. 5b depicts a bottom view of the device shown in FIG. 1 withtwo sections of extension tubing attached to the muzzle end of thebarrel portion. FIG. 5b also depicts the placement of the clamp andclamp knob.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND BEST MODE

[0048] As best shown in FIG. 1, a explosives disrupter 10 according to apreferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a cylindricalbarrel 12 which, at one end, threadably receives breech 14 which housesfiring mechanism 16. Breech 14 threadably receives union 18, which inturn threadably receives compression fitting 20. Projectile 26 is housedwithin barrel 12 and prior to being fired, rests against the front endof breech 14. Propellant conduit 22 passes through compression fitting20 and union 18 such that one terminus of propellant conduit 22 restsagainst the back end of firing mechanism 16. The other terminus ofpropellant conduit 22 is attached to charge source 24. The energyrequired to forcibly drive firing mechanism 16 into the primer ofprojectile 26 is provided by propellant conduit 22 which is activated bythe charge provided by charge source 24.

[0049] Firing mechanism 16 is a sub-assembly comprising a means forstriking the primer of projectile 26 with the force required to fireprojectile 26 from barrel 12. Breech 14 may be adapted to house variousembodiments of firing mechanism 16.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 2, in one embodiment of the present inventionfiring pin 40 rests in a retracted position within cylindrical bore 46,and is encircled by spring 44. Spring 44 provides resistance to firingpin 40 and retains firing pin 40 in a retracted position in cylindricalbore 46 until explosives disrupter 10 is fired. One terminus ofpropellant conduit 22 extends through both compression fitting 20 andunion 18 and rests against plug 42, which in turn rests against the backend of firing pin 40. Compression fitting 20 is tightened onto union 18to hold propellant conduit 22 against plug 42. The other terminus ofpropellant conduit 22 is attached to charge source 24. Upon receivingenergy from propellant conduit 22, plug 42 strikes firing pin 40 causingfiring pin 40 to overcome the resistance of spring 44, travel downcylindrical bore 46 and forcibly strike the primer of projectile 26causing projectile 26 to exit barrel 12 at a high velocity.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 3, in another embodiment of the presentinvention metal sphere 50 resides within cylindrical bore 46, and isencircled by retainer 54 which immobilizes metal sphere 50 withincylindrical bore 46. O-ring 52 is secured within cylindrical bore 46 andrests against the front end of metal sphere 50 to provide resistance tometal sphere 50 until explosives disrupter 10 is fired. One terminus ofpropellant conduit 22 extends through both compression fitting 20 andunion 18 and rests against the back end of metal sphere 50. Compressionfitting 20 is tightened onto union 18 to hold propellant conduit 22against metal sphere 50. The other terminus of propellant conduit 22 isattached to charge source 24. Upon receiving energy from propellantconduit 22, metal sphere 50 overcomes the resistance of O-ring 52 andtravels down cylindrical bore 46 where it forcibly strikes the primer ofprojectile 26 causing projectile 26 to exit barrel 12 at a highvelocity.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 4, in another embodiment of the presentinvention firing piston 60 rests in a retracted position withincylindrical bore 46, and is held in place by retaining ring 61. Firingpiston 60 comprises at least one spring chamber 66 with slider 63 andresistance coil 64 residing therein. Cylindrical bore 46 is recessed toaccommodate ball bearing 62 which also partially resides in springchamber 66. The front of ball bearing 62 rests against slider 63 whichin turn rests against resistance coil 64.

[0053] Resistance provided by resistance coil 64 secures ball bearing 62between cylindrical bore 46 and spring chamber 66 thereby retainingfiring piston 60 in a retracted position until explosives disrupter 10is fired. One terminus of propellant conduit 22 extends through bothcompression fitting 20 and union 18 and rests against the back end offiring piston 60. Compression fitting 20 is tightened onto union 18 tohold propellant conduit 22 against firing piston 60. The other terminusof propellant conduit 22 is attached to charge source 24. Upon receivingenergy in the form of compressed air through propellant conduit 22, theresistance of resistance coil 64 and retaining ring 61 is overcome,slider 63 moves forward, and ball bearing 62 is forced completely intospring chamber 66. Firing piston 60 then travels down cylindrical bore46 and forcibly strikes the primer of projectile 26 causing projectile26 to exit barrel 12 at high velocity. In this embodiment of the presentinvention, charge source 24 is the actual source of the energy whichultimately fires explosives disrupter 10; propellant conduit 22 issimply the conduit through which compressed air travels to firingmechanism 16.

[0054]FIGS. 1 and 5a show explosives disrupter 10 secured withinorienting apparatus 28 by clamp 30. Clamp 30 may be tightened by turningclamp knob 32 which threadably receives, and is secured by nut 31.Adapter 33 is affixed to the base of clamp 30 and serves as theattachment point for flexible support 34.

[0055] As shown in FIGS. 5a and 5 b, two lengths of extension tubing 70may be added to the front end of barrel 12 to extend the reach ofexplosives disrupter 10. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 1, standoffspokes 72 are threadably received by the front end of barrel 12 toprovide distance between explosives disrupter 10 and target 80 whilemaintaining accuracy.

[0056] The operation of explosives disrupter 10 may be described asfollows. In a preferred embodiment, the individual components ofexplosives disrupter 10 are dissembled and packaged as a portable kithaving a container specifically designed to securely store the variousparts of the disrupter. A bomb technician may carry the kit into thefield on his or her person, and upon recognition of an IED, thetechnician may quickly assemble the kit into an operational device usinga simple tool included in the kit. Sections of flexible support 34 arejoined together to achieve a desired length and attached to adapter 33which is permanently affixed to the base of clamp 30. Barrel 12, breech14, firing mechanism 20, union 18, and compression fitting 20 arepresent as a subassembly in the kit. This subassembly is secured withinclamp 30 by tightening clamp knob 32. Projectile 26 is loaded intobarrel 12 and either extension tubing 72, or standoff spokes 72 arethreaded onto the muzzle end of barrel 12. One end of propellant conduit22 is inserted into compression fitting 20 and union 18 and secured bytightening compression fitting 20. The other end of propellant conduit22 is attached to charge source 24. The length of propellant conduit 22is determined by the user at the time explosives disrupter 10 isdeployed. By increasing the length of propellant conduit 22, the personusing this invention can remotely fire explosives disrupter 10 from aconsiderable distance if so desired.

[0057] Explosives disrupter 10 is then clamped or staked to a substrate,oriented, and aimed at the desired target. Alternatively, flexiblesupport 34 itself may be formed into a base for explosives disrupter 10to sit on. Charge source 24 activates propellant conduit 22, or providesenergy to propellant conduit 22, causing energy to travel downpropellant conduit 22. This energy then causes firing mechanism 16 toovercome any resistance present and travel down cylindrical bore 46forcibly striking the primer of projectile 26. Projectile 26 exitsbarrel 12 at a high velocity and severs, cuts, or jams the firing trainof the improvised explosive device, thereby disabling or de-arming thedevice.

[0058] If firing mechanism 16 is either the firing pin or metal sphereembodiment, then shock tubing is used for propellant conduit 22, and anelectrical source serves as charge source 24. If firing mechanism 16 isthe firing piston embodiment, then propellant conduit 22 is a length oftubing, and an energy source sufficient to provide the required energyin the form of compressed air serves as charge source 24.

[0059] If shock tubing is used, after each successive firing, breech 14must be removed from barrel 12 to either clean the firing pin, orreplace metal sphere 50. Shock tubing can be used only once, and must bereplaced after each use. If the air-pressure method of firing is used,the length of tubing used as propellant conduit 22 may be reused asoften as desired.

[0060] The present invention presents many advantages over similardevices including the following: (1) compact design and flexibleorientation; (2) a semi-rigid, segmented support system which allowsin-line recoil to occur upon firing without affecting the accuracy ofthe device; (3) three possible firing mechanisms, including anexplosion-free firing mechanism which enhances the overall safety of thepresent invention; (4) an integrated aiming system to assure accuracy;and (5) a breech and barrel design that increases the safety anddurability of the device.

[0061] The present invention has the advantage of a compact, lightweightdesign coupled with the ability to orient the barrel of the explosivesdisrupter in a wide variety of positions in relation to a target. Thesefeatures allow the user to easily carry the explosives disrupter kitinto the field, quickly assemble the device, and then position or mountthe disrupter in small, hard to reach spaces that would be inaccessibleto larger devices. Other de-arming devices are mounted on rigid bases,such as a tripod, or must sit on the ground or other surface. Suchdisrupters do not utilize designs which minimize the effects of recoil,and moments generated by the firing of the projectile at the target maycause the barrel or the entire device to move from its originalpositioning. The result of this movement is firing inaccuracy anddecreased effectiveness of the device. The present invention has theadvantage of a design which preserves firing accuracy as the projectileleaves the barrel of the device. In a preferred embodiment, the flexiblesupport is constructed of individual segments that snap together in aball and socket-type union or joint. This segmented support issemi-rigid, meaning that it is sufficiently inflexible to providestability and support to the barrel, and hold the barrel in place whenaimed at a target, yet when the explosives disrupter is fired, theflexible support yields to the recoil generated by the disrupter. Eachof the multiple joints between the individual segments of the flexiblesupport moves a short distance when the disrupter is fired, effectivelyabsorbing the recoil generated as the projectile travels down the lengthof the barrel.

[0062] The present invention also has the advantage of providing theuser with three different firing mechanisms. In one embodiment, thepresent invention uses a firing pin and explosive tubing combination todischarge the projectile from the barrel of the device. In anotherembodiment, the present invention uses a metal sphere and explosivetubing combination to discharge the projectile from the barrel of thedevice. In still another embodiment the present invention uses acompressed air and firing piston mechanism to discharge the projectilefrom the barrel of the device. Use of a metal sphere in the place of afiring pin is advantageous because the sphere is easily fabricated,i.e., an ordinary BB may be used, and the sphere may be replaced witheach use thereby eliminating the need to clean the firing mechanismafter each firing. Additionally, a reusable compressed air firingmechanism is more economical than a single-use explosive tubingmechanism. Furthermore, the enhanced safety aspects of a compressed airsystem make the present invention less likely to cause collateral damagebecause utilization of compressed air assures that the device has noenergy to fire until the air source is connected and actuated.

[0063] Further advantages of this invention include low cost aimingdevices integrated into the design of the device. Threaded wire (e.g.bicycle spokes) can be inserted into to the muzzle end of the barrel toallow the barrel to stand off from a particular target when the userwishes to maintain a distance from the target. Aiming the device is alsofacilitated by sliding extension tubes over either the front or rear endof the device. These extension tubes allow the barrel to be extendedinto small or difficult to reach areas that would otherwise beinaccessible.

[0064] The breech and barrel design of the present invention areinverted over that usually found in a conventional firearm; the breechis threaded into the rear of the barrel, as opposed to threading aroundthe barrel. This design advantage allows the barrel thickness to beminimized because there are no threads in the region of the barrel whereradial pressure is generated during the firing of the projectile.Furthermore, the threads on the breech must only withstand axial forces,thereby improving the safety of the present invention by minimizing therisk of the barrel and/or breech fracturing during operation. Thisdesign also permits a constant diameter between the breech and barrelwhich facilitates attachment of the extension tubes as well asfacilitating placement of the device in the orienting snake assembly.

[0065] While the above description contains many specificities, theseshould not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention,but rather as exemplification of preferred embodiments. Numerous othervariations of the present invention are possible, and it is not intendedherein to mention all of the possible equivalent forms or ramificationsof this invention. Various changes may be made to the present inventionwithout departing from the scope of the invention, and the following areexamples of such changes.

[0066] A preferred embodiment of the present invention contemplates adevice for use against small improvised explosive devices such as letterbombs, or small ordnance such as land mines or grenades. However, inanother embodiment the present invention is scaled-up and modified to beused against larger ordnance such complex bombs or missiles. The sameprinciples of flexibility and recoilless operation found in the presentinvention apply to larger disrupter devices.

[0067] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, barrel 12 isa smooth-bore barrel; however, in another embodiment the barrel isrifled to increase the accuracy of explosives disrupter 10 if thedistance between the explosives disrupter and the target is increased.

[0068] To withstand the normal firing pressures of the presentinvention, the preferred material for both the barrel and the breech ismetal. However, other structural components of the present invention canbe fabricated from a wide variety of materials. Clamp 30, nut 31, clampknob 32, and adapter 34 may be fabricated from polymer, plastic, or avariety of suitable metals such as aluminum or stainless steel. If asecuring clamp or stakes are used to secure this invention against asolid substrate, such items may also be fabricated from polymer,plastic, or a variety of suitable metals such as aluminum or stainlesssteel.

[0069] In a preferred embodiment, projectile 26 is a 9 mm bullet. Inother embodiments projectile 26 is a 0.22, 0.38, 0.45, or other suitablesmall caliber bullet. In another embodiment of the present invention,projectile 26 is a shotgun shell. In still another embodiment,projectile 26 is a large caliber projectile.

[0070] In one embodiment requiring shock tubing, Nonel™, a commerciallyavailable product, is used as propellant conduit 22. In anotherembodiment requiring shock tubing, any acceptable explosive tubingcapable of transferring the required energy is used as propellantconduit 22. In one embodiment requiring air-pressure, propellant conduit22 is Tygon™ tubing. In another embodiment requiring air pressure,propellant conduit 22 is plastic, polyethylene, or polypropylene tubing.

[0071] In an embodiment of the present invention requiring an electricalcharge source, charge source 24 is an electric battery. In anotherembodiment requiring an electrical charge source, charge source 24 isany electrical source which will provide the charge necessary toactivate the shock tubing. In one embodiment of the present inventionrequiring air pressure, charge source 24 is a manually-operated air pumpsuch as a bicycle pump, or an electrically operated air compressor. Inanother embodiment of the present invention requiring air pressure,charge source 24 is a cylinder of gas such as a carbon dioxide ornitrous oxide. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention,flexible support 34 is the commercial product Loc-Line™, which is asegmented plastic tube that can easily be assembled and bent into adesired shape, with such shape being retained. Another embodiment of thepresent invention replaces Loc-line™ with any flexible tubing or conduitthat will provide flexibility, stability, and in-line recoil. Stillanother embodiment of the present invention utilizes any flexible,segmented material that when assembled to a desired length providesflexibility and also minimizes the effects of recoil on the accuracy ofthe device.

We claim:
 1. A projectile-firing device, comprising: (a) a barrel forhousing said projectile; and (b) a semi-rigid, flexible support systemattached to said barrel for providing recoilless firing of said device.2. The projectile-firing device of claim 1, wherein said semi-rigid,flexible support system further comprises individual segments which maybe assembled to a desired length.
 3. The projectile-firing device ofclaim 1, wherein said projectile is a bullet.
 4. The projectile-firingdevice of claim 1, further comprising a clamp for attaching said semirigid, flexible support system to said barrel.
 5. The projectile-firingdevice of claim 2, wherein said individual segments are joined togetherin a ball and socket-type union.
 6. An explosives disrupter forde-arming explosive devices, comprising: (a) a barrel; (b) a breechconnected to one end of said barrel; (c) a firing mechanism residingwithin said breech; and (d) a semi-rigid, flexible support system forsupporting said explosives disrupter.
 7. The explosives disrupter ofclaim 6, further comprising a propellant conduit connected to saidbreech for delivering energy to said firing mechanism.
 8. The explosivesdisrupter of claim 6, further comprising a charge source connected tosaid propellant conduit for providing energy to said propellant conduit.9. The explosives disrupter of claim 6, further comprising a clamp forattaching said projectile-firing device to said flexible support system.10. The explosives disrupter of claim 6, further comprising aprojectile, wherein said projectile is a bullet or shotgun shell. 11.The explosives disrupter of claim 6, further comprising means forextending the reach of said disrupter at a target, said means comprisingat least one extension tube attached to the muzzle end of said barrel.12. The explosives disrupter of claim 6, further comprising at least onestandoff spoke attached to the muzzle end of said barrel for providingstandoff distance between said explosives disrupter and a target. 13.The explosives disrupter of claim 6, further comprising at least onestake for anchoring said explosives disrupter to a substrate.
 14. Theexplosives disrupter of claim 6, further comprising a clamp attached tosaid flexible support system opposite the barrel.
 15. The explosivesdisrupter of claim 6, wherein the interior surface of said barrelcomprises a smooth bore.
 16. The explosives disrupter of claim 6,wherein the interior surface of said barrel comprises a rifled bore. 17.The explosives disrupter of claim 6, wherein said breech and said barrelmaintain a constant diameter for eliminating radial forces on thethreads of said breech.
 18. The explosives disrupter of claim 6, whereinsaid firing mechanism further comprises: (a) a firing pin; (b) a pluginterposed between said propellant conduit and said firing pin; and (c)a resistance coil encircling said firing pin for retaining said firingpin in a retracted position until said explosives disrupter is fired.19. The explosives disrupter of claim 6, wherein said firing mechanismfurther comprises: (a) a metal sphere in contact with said propellantconduit; (b) a retainer for eliminated radial movement of said metalsphere; and (c) an O-ring in front of said metal sphere for securingsaid metal sphere in a retracted position until said explosivesdisrupter is fired.
 20. The explosives disrupter of claim 6, whereinsaid firing mechanism further comprises a firing piston, said firingpiston further comprising a spring chamber; a slider residing withinsaid spring chamber; a ball bearing interposed between said slider andsaid breech; and a resistance coil residing in said spring chamber forretaining said firing piston in a retracted position until saidexplosives disrupter is fired.
 21. The explosives disrupter of claim 6,wherein said propellant conduit is explosive shock tubing.
 22. Theexplosives disrupter of claim 6, wherein said propellant conduit istubing selected from the group consisting of plastic, polymer,polyethylene, polypropylene, and rubber.
 23. The explosives disrupter ofclaim 6, wherein said charge source is electrical.
 24. The explosivesdisrupter of claim 6, wherein said charge source is a manually-operatedair pump.
 25. The explosives disrupter of claim 6, wherein said chargesource is an electrically operated air compressor.
 26. The explosivesdisrupter of claim 6, wherein said charge source is a carbon dioxidecanister.
 27. A remotely operated explosives disrupter for de-armingexplosive devices, comprising: (a) a barrel; (b) a projectile residingwithin said barrel; (c) a breech threadably connected to said barrel,said breech further comprising a cylindrical bore therein extendinglongitudinally along the length of said breech; (d) a firing mechanismresiding in said cylindrical bore for discharging said projectile fromsaid barrel; (e) a propellant conduit secured within said breech fortransferring energy to said firing mechanism; (f) a charge sourceconnected to said propellant conduit for providing energy to saidpropellant conduit; and (g) an orienting apparatus for positioning saidexplosives disrupter relative to a target, said orienting apparatusfurther comprising flexible, semi-rigid support material; and clampmeans for securing said orienting apparatus to said barrel.
 28. Theexplosives disrupter of claim 26, further comprising at least onestandoff spoke attached to the muzzle end of said barrel for providingdistance between said barrel and a target.
 29. The explosives disrupterof claim 26, further comprising a least one extension tube attached tothe muzzle end of said barrel for extending the reach of said explosivesdisrupter.
 30. A kit for de-arming explosive devices, comprising: (a) aexplosives disrupter, said explosives disrupter further comprising abarrel for housing a projectile; a breech connected to said barrel; afiring mechanism housed within said breech; a propellant conduit fortransferring energy to said firing mechanism; and a charge source forsupplying energy to said propellant conduit; (b) an orienting apparatus,said orienting apparatus further comprising segmented support material;(c) a tool for rapidly assembly of said explosives disrupter; (d) acontainer for securely storing in a dissembled state said explosivesdisrupter, said orienting apparatus, said stabilizing stakes, and saidassembly tool, wherein said container is fabricated to be worn directlyon the person of the user of said kit.
 30. The kit of claim 29, furthercomprising a supply of projectiles, wherein said projectiles arebullets.
 32. The kit of claim 29, further comprising at least one stakefor anchoring said explosives disrupter to a substrate.
 33. A method forde-arming an explosive device placed in a challenging position,comprising: (a) assembling a portable apparatus for de-arming explosivedevices, wherein said portable apparatus further comprises a barrel; aprojectile residing in said barrel; a firing mechanism for dischargingthe projectile from said barrel; a power source for activating saidfiring mechanism; and a segmented, flexible support for orienting saidbarrel relative to a target; (b) securing said portable apparatus to asubstrate; (c) orienting said portable apparatus relative to the target;and (d) initiating a propellant to transfer energy from said powersource to the firing mechanism of said apparatus thereby activating saidfiring mechanism and discharging said projectile from said barrel intothe firing train of the explosive device.